Bad news, WC sandwichionados: Murray’s Deli of West Chester will be closing very soon. We were enamored with the sandwiches and upscale bar of Murray’s but we suspect the location (on the much less tred Market St vs Gay St — It’s amazing what a block can do) and the questionable service (as commonly reported by readers on this very website) did them in.

Great news for Western Main Liners though: Deli War II is set to begin! Murray’s will be opening a Berwyn location, and while that isn’t exactly across the street from the planned Lew’s NY Deli in Paoli, we’ll be sure to compare the pastrami as soon as possible.

Update: along with the deli, upscale bistro M is also planned for the same location (575 W. Lancaster Ave.)

A few new(ish) restaurants in WC worth mentioning:

• Butterfish, a new-American, fish-focused BYOB (and gourmet take-away) on West Nields Street, opened a few months ago.
• Mexican restaurant El Portal (BYOB) is now open on the Iron Hill block of Gay St.
• Tami’s Express Lunch and Bakery is opening soon where that Hawaiian-themed lunch spot used to be on Gay St.

Tratorria San Nicola has recently updated their menu — the theme remains the same, but there are some new dishes to try.

Stella Blu in Conshohocken has started allowing BYOB every day through labor day to celebrate their new summer menu.

Lew’s New York Deli is currently under construction where the old Il Primo Pizza used to be (on Rt 30 across from Wendy’s). Sounds promising!

Right next door, Tradewinds Coffee, a drive thru coffee shop is now open. It’s no Starbucks, but it is convenient.